Divorce and family disruption are growing phenomena in the world and a reality in many children‟s lives. Almost half of all divorced families in South Africa have children under the age of 18 years. Divorce is a traumatic experience for children. Adolescent children in particular experience divorce as distressing. Adolescent children need to face numerous challenges while going through the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. They are in the process of identity formation and rely on their parents‟ support and presence to develop a strong and positive identity. The Military is often described as a selfish entity, which demands members‟ undivided attention and loyalty. When Military families go through a process of divorce, they need to face the trauma of the divorce as well as the specific demands of the organisation. Adolescent children from divorcing families in a Military context experience specific needs, and their parents and the Military as organisation have a definite role to play in fulfilling these needs. This study focused on exploring the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. A significant amount of research has been done on adolescent children in divorced families, but little is known about the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. Hence, it is in this particular area that this study endeavours to make a contribution. The research was conducted in three Military bases in the Cape Town metropole area. Nine participants (five females and four males) consented to participate in the study. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was based on data saturation. Participants were purposefully selected on the basis of the following: they are adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years, they have parents whose divorce process has been finalised, and one or both of their parents are employed by the Military. Data was collected through conducting semi-structured one-on-one interviews with all participants. A semi-structured interview schedule assisted the researcher to facilitate the interviews for consistency. The researcher was able to validate data and elaborate on certain issues during interviews. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and different themes and sub-themes were defined. The researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the research process by following the guidelines as suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The study found that adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context have specific needs and that their focal need was for emotional support. They need their parents to communicate openly with them regarding the divorce process as well as the reasons for the divorce. Adolescents in Military divorced families long for a good relationship between them and their parents. They need to feel loved and want their parents physically and emotionally present in their lives. Participants need from the Military and schools to offer therapeutic support services as well as group sessions for adolescent children in Military divorced families. Although their basic psychological needs were met by the residing parent, they need to know that the newly formed single-parent family of which they now form part will be able to survive financially. Some researchers found that adolescent children from divorced families tended to reject faith. However, participants in this study indicated that they strongly needed support from their spiritual organisations and youth movements. In order to meet the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in the South African Military context, parents need to stay involved in their children‟s lives and communicate in an open and honest way with them. Military social workers, psychologists and chaplains need to ensure that therapeutic services are available to adolescent children of divorcing parents and that the adolescents attend these sessions. Work-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) could be put in place to ensure that all adolescent children from divorcing families attend therapeutic sessions. Group sessions should be available and accessible for adolescent children in divorcing Military families. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Divorce and family disruption are growing phenomena in the world and a reality in many children‟s lives. Almost half of all divorced families in South Africa have children under the age of 18 years. Divorce is a traumatic experience for children. Adolescent children in particular experience divorce as distressing. Adolescent children need to face numerous challenges while going through the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. They are in the process of identity formation and rely on their parents‟ support and presence to develop a strong and positive identity. The Military is often described as a selfish entity, which demands members‟ undivided attention and loyalty. When Military families go through a process of divorce, they need to face the trauma of the divorce as well as the specific demands of the organisation. Adolescent children from divorcing families in a Military context experience specific needs, and their parents and the Military as organisation have a definite role to play in fulfilling these needs. This study focused on exploring the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. A significant amount of research has been done on adolescent children in divorced families, but little is known about the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context. Hence, it is in this particular area that this study endeavours to make a contribution. The research was conducted in three Military bases in the Cape Town metropole area. Nine participants (five females and four males) consented to participate in the study. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was based on data saturation. Participants were purposefully selected on the basis of the following: they are adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years, they have parents whose divorce process has been finalised, and one or both of their parents are employed by the Military. Data was collected through conducting semi-structured one-on-one interviews with all participants. A semi-structured interview schedule assisted the researcher to facilitate the interviews for consistency. The researcher was able to validate data and elaborate on certain issues during interviews. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and different themes and sub-themes were defined. The researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the research process by following the guidelines as suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The study found that adolescent children in divorced families in a South African Military context have specific needs and that their focal need was for emotional support. They need their parents to communicate openly with them regarding the divorce process as well as the reasons for the divorce. Adolescents in Military divorced families long for a good relationship between them and their parents. They need to feel loved and want their parents physically and emotionally present in their lives. Participants need from the Military and schools to offer therapeutic support services as well as group sessions for adolescent children in Military divorced families. Although their basic psychological needs were met by the residing parent, they need to know that the newly formed single-parent family of which they now form part will be able to survive financially. Some researchers found that adolescent children from divorced families tended to reject faith. However, participants in this study indicated that they strongly needed support from their spiritual organisations and youth movements. In order to meet the needs of adolescent children in divorced families in the South African Military context, parents need to stay involved in their children‟s lives and communicate in an open and honest way with them. Military social workers, psychologists and chaplains need to ensure that therapeutic services are available to adolescent children of divorcing parents and that the adolescents attend these sessions. Work-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) could be put in place to ensure that all adolescent children from divorcing families attend therapeutic sessions. Group sessions should be available and accessible for adolescent children in divorcing Military families. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The goal of this study was to investigate the career counselling needs at a school in a deprived community. High School learners form part of the future workforce that will influence this country's economy. Therefore it is necessary to focus on the development of a workforce that has the basic skills. Career counselling is therefore seen as the field of education by means of which these skills need to be addressed, but to present successful career counselling, the needs of the learners and teachers have to be taken into consideration. The staff and pupils of a Secondary School from a deprived community in Potchefstroom were used for the purposes of this study. The group consisted of 15 participants in total, of which 10 were pupils (6 girls and 4 boys) in grades 10 to 12, and 5 teachers (4 ladies and 1 gentleman). In order to determine the participants' experiences with regard to Career Counselling, qualitative research methodology was used by means of phenomenological principles in interviews. A specific effort was made to give an account of the extent and nature of this need, as well as to determine what the pupils' needs for Career Counselling are and what the limitations are for the teacher regarding career counselling. The results showed that pupils see career counselling as important and that they have a need for this field of education, that the current career education sessions at school do not fulfil their needs for career guidance, that learners indicate that they have specific needs regarding career guidance, that their peers show indifference towards receiving career guidance and also that their career choices are influenced by their home backgrounds. Furthermore the results showed that the teachers acknowledge the importance of career counselling at schools, the need for better career guidance, that certain factors exist that influence career guidance in a negative way and also that they have specific needs regarding career guidance. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The goal of this study was to investigate the career counselling needs at a school in a deprived community. High School learners form part of the future workforce that will influence this country's economy. Therefore it is necessary to focus on the development of a workforce that has the basic skills. Career counselling is therefore seen as the field of education by means of which these skills need to be addressed, but to present successful career counselling, the needs of the learners and teachers have to be taken into consideration. The staff and pupils of a Secondary School from a deprived community in Potchefstroom were used for the purposes of this study. The group consisted of 15 participants in total, of which 10 were pupils (6 girls and 4 boys) in grades 10 to 12, and 5 teachers (4 ladies and 1 gentleman). In order to determine the participants' experiences with regard to Career Counselling, qualitative research methodology was used by means of phenomenological principles in interviews. A specific effort was made to give an account of the extent and nature of this need, as well as to determine what the pupils' needs for Career Counselling are and what the limitations are for the teacher regarding career counselling. The results showed that pupils see career counselling as important and that they have a need for this field of education, that the current career education sessions at school do not fulfil their needs for career guidance, that learners indicate that they have specific needs regarding career guidance, that their peers show indifference towards receiving career guidance and also that their career choices are influenced by their home backgrounds. Furthermore the results showed that the teachers acknowledge the importance of career counselling at schools, the need for better career guidance, that certain factors exist that influence career guidance in a negative way and also that they have specific needs regarding career guidance. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

New research findings, changes in legislation and the use of information technology in nursing, requires continuous in-service training of psychiatric nurses (Booyens, 2004:381; Muller, 2004:294) to cope with, reflect on, evaluate and modify their clinical practice based on emerging knowledge (Cowen et al.,2009:2; Polit & Beck, 2006:4). Many studies have been conducted on the importance of in-service training, and authors agree that in-service training improves the quality of nursing care. However few studies on in-service in South Africa and psychiatric nursing science have been conducted, of which the last study conducted on psychiatric nursing science in South Africa was 1986 (Nel, 1986:1-125). Personal observations found that some psychiatric hospitals in Gauteng do not conduct in-service training at all and informal discussions held with nursing managers highlighted that when in-service training programmes are compiled that are poorly followed, and it is unclear what the needs of psychiatric nurses are in terms of in-service training to keep them updated and empowered to perform to the best of their ability. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the needs and benefits of in-service training for psychiatric nurses in a specific psychiatric hospital in Gauteng and to formulate recommendations for in-service training for psychiatric nurses in this hospital. The research project followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach. Six focus group interviews were conducted and relevant data obtained. The findings of this research included seven main themes, namely the need for in-service training, career advantages, social advantages, physical advantages, psychological advantages of in-service training, recommendations regarding in-service training and factors that hinder in-service training. These findings were enriched with direct quotations from the transcriptions as verbalized by psychiatric nurses during focus group discussions. The findings were compared with available relevant literature for confirmation. Recommendations were formulated for nursing education, nursing research and nursing practice that focus on in-service training for psychiatric nurses. / Thesis (MCur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

New research findings, changes in legislation and the use of information technology in nursing, requires continuous in-service training of psychiatric nurses (Booyens, 2004:381; Muller, 2004:294) to cope with, reflect on, evaluate and modify their clinical practice based on emerging knowledge (Cowen et al.,2009:2; Polit & Beck, 2006:4). Many studies have been conducted on the importance of in-service training, and authors agree that in-service training improves the quality of nursing care. However few studies on in-service in South Africa and psychiatric nursing science have been conducted, of which the last study conducted on psychiatric nursing science in South Africa was 1986 (Nel, 1986:1-125). Personal observations found that some psychiatric hospitals in Gauteng do not conduct in-service training at all and informal discussions held with nursing managers highlighted that when in-service training programmes are compiled that are poorly followed, and it is unclear what the needs of psychiatric nurses are in terms of in-service training to keep them updated and empowered to perform to the best of their ability. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the needs and benefits of in-service training for psychiatric nurses in a specific psychiatric hospital in Gauteng and to formulate recommendations for in-service training for psychiatric nurses in this hospital. The research project followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach. Six focus group interviews were conducted and relevant data obtained. The findings of this research included seven main themes, namely the need for in-service training, career advantages, social advantages, physical advantages, psychological advantages of in-service training, recommendations regarding in-service training and factors that hinder in-service training. These findings were enriched with direct quotations from the transcriptions as verbalized by psychiatric nurses during focus group discussions. The findings were compared with available relevant literature for confirmation. Recommendations were formulated for nursing education, nursing research and nursing practice that focus on in-service training for psychiatric nurses. / Thesis (MCur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

This study investigated the nature of the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. Gaps were identified in the literature that indicated that there is little information available on the needs of parents who are confronted by the complex dysfunction resulting from encopresis. During the course of the empirical investigation, which involved interviews with the parents of children suffering from encopresis, it was confirmed that these gaps do exist. The aim of this study was to determine what parents’ psycho-social needs were with regard to their child if their child is suffering from encopresis. In order to reach this aim, a number of objectives were set. The first objective was to establish a knowledge base by means of a literature review and discussions with experts in the field of encopresis. Information was gathered with regard to the physiological mechanism of encopresis, the role of toilet routine in the origins and development of encopresis, the effect of encopresis on the family system and the psycho-social aspects that maintain this dysfunction. The second objective was to obtain empirical data on the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. The third objective was to draw conclusions and to make recommendations on the basis of the results of this study in respect of parents’ psycho-social needs. The recommendations, which are presented in written form, can serve as recommendations to be used in providing assistance in the practice. The empirical study took the form of one-on-one interviews with the assistance of a semi-structured interview schedule within a phenomenological strategy. The respondents were the parents of children in whom encopresis has been medically diagnosed. The aim of using a phenomenological strategy was to determine what meaning respondents attach to their everyday life. The phenomenological strategy was followed as part of an explorative study. The explorative study was designed to elicit information allowing greater insight into the actual practical situation. The parent couples were selected by the researcher by means of a process of purposeful sampling. Transcripts of the interviews were made after the interviews had been completed and this data was analysed and interpreted. The interview schedule that was used is included in Appendix A. Because encopresis is a highly sensitive topic, respondents were given a letter of informed consent to read and sign. An example of this letter is attached as Appendix B. The empirical data obtained by means of the semi-structured interviews emphasised the following key themes: · The parents’ primary need is information on the nature and causes of encopresis. · The parents’ second most urgent need is the skills to cope with a child with encopresis. Parents indicated that the complex and unpleasant nature of encopresis puts great demands on their parenting skills. · The third central theme that emerged was the need for skills with regard to handling the siblings of an encopretic child. The encopretic child makes very insistent demands on parents and the siblings within the family system react in ways that require particular parenting skills. · The fourth central theme is the parents’ need for support with regard to their own emotions. Parents indicated that tension and frustration arose in their relationship in respect of the demands made by an encopretic child and that they needed support and understanding. · The fifth key theme was the parents’ need for understanding and support from professional role players with regard to encopresis. The parents indicated that they required this understanding and expertise particularly from the medical role players, as well as the school system. · The sixth theme is the need for support from the social community. Parents expressed a clear need for the support of family, friends and the wider social community, since the parents and the family can become completely socially isolated. · The seventh theme was the need for a support group for the parents of children with encopresis. · The eighth theme was the parents’ need for greater awareness in the broader community about encopresis. Parents expressed a need for greater media awareness about encopresis. The research has shown clearly that among these parents there is a great need for information, coping skills and support with regard to various aspects surrounding a child with encopresis. Parents expressed a particular need for support groups to address their psycho-social needs. On the one hand, these needs as expressed by the respondents suggest guidelines for practical assistance to the parents of children with encopresis. On the other hand, they also suggest areas for further research. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The study is aimed at looking at the emotional needs the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood. An in depth literature study was done and shortcomings have been identified with regard to the HIV/Aids affected child, in specific the experience of the child within the period before the loss of a parent because of HIV/Aids. A number of objectives were set in order to reach the goal of this study. By the consultation of literature and experts working in the field of HIV/Aids affected children in middle childhood, a theoretical framework was set up which included the following aspects: HIV/Aids in Sub Sahara Africa, the impact of HIV/Aids on the South African society, the HIV/Aids infected and –affected child, the impact of HIV/Aids on the family, the psycho social-, emotional- and social development of the child in middle childhood and cultural diversity in South Africa (with specific reference to the coloured culture and counselling for these children). During an empirical study, semi-structured interview techniques were applied as a method for data collection in order to assess the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood. Interviews focused on the HIV/Aids child and the following aspects were handled: the child’s wishes at that specific time in life (excluding the parent’s HIV/Aids status), the child’s experience of other’s interest in his own well being, the duration of the child’s knowledge of the parent’s HIV/Aids status, concerning changes (at school or at home) in the life of the child due to the parent’s HIV/Aids status, the child’s future custody and his feelings and ideas about it, individuals whom this child can talk to about his feelings of distress/anger/hurt, the child’s feelings about the knowledge concerning the parent’s HIV/Aids status and the child’s experience of newly acquired responsibilities at home (or towards his siblings) since the parents were HIV/Aids infected. Applied research was undertaken to aid the researcher in enhancing the awareness of professionals in practice with regard to the emotional needs of the affected coloured children in middle childhood. The professionals can then be empowered to understand and handle the problems which can be caused by the unfulfilled emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected children. A qualitative research approach was used in gathering data, in order to get a full understanding of the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected child. A phenomenological strategy within an exploratory study was used aiming to understand and interpret the research question. The research question for this study is: “What are the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood?” Empirical data was obtained by means of an interview schedule and verified the following: -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences the need for emotional safety, which is threatened by the knowledge of the possibility of the death of a parent, and insecurity considering their future custody. The child is experiencing a variety of emotions of which bereavement is the most common one. The child’s emotional safety is also threatened by other factors associated with the parent’s HIV/Aids status. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood expresses the need to debriefing. It is common that these children do not have someone to share emotions with. Proof of above mentioned assumption can be ascribed to three factors namely: the people involved are not aware of the need for debriefing, the perception that it is better for the child not to express their emotions regarding the parent’s HIV/Aids infection and last, the lack of skills on ‘know how’ in approaching and handling this specific situation. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences intense emotions concerning the parent’s HIV/Aids status whereas bereavement, concern and sympathy are identified. A few of these children are partly in denial about their parents’ HIV/Aids status and claim that the parents will die because of Tuberculoses. A number of these children totally deny the fact that their parents are sick. To assist the child in handling the related emotions and the traumatic situation, it will be beneficial to get therapeutic support. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences drastic change when the parent’s HIV/Aids status is disclosed, or the moment the child starts to realise that something is wrong. The HIV/Aids parent is concerned about the impact of disclosure on the child and therefore delays this process. When the parent’s HIV/Aids status is disclosed, the child experiences a crisis and does not have the inner strength or required skills to handle his emotions and the situation which he is confronted with. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences a need for acceptance by peer group members and therefore fear that they will discover their parent’s status. It became clear that in cases where the peers have found out about the HIV/Aids infected parent, their reactions were negative. Because of this, the HIV/Aids affected child experiences anger and grief. -- The HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood experiences a lack of concentration at school, which has a direct negative impact on his school performance. School attendance is also influenced negatively because of the other children’s negative attitude towards them. Seeing that school, as a formal institution, will influence the child’s social-, emotional- and psycho social development, it is of importance that the HIV/Aids affected child is supported in his scholastic functioning. This study exposed the emotional needs of the HIV/Aids affected coloured child in middle childhood which holds possibility for future research. The information collected can be utilized for further studying purposes and the intervention of children in similar situations. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted